Grate bar



June 27, 1933. G B COWLES 1,915,777

GRATE BAR Filed June 30, 1952 if .f

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, thickened laterally to provide pit walls 1 and 2 respectively, and the front, intermediate and rear boiler sections 3, 4 and 5 respectively, whose lower parts define the combustion chamber. The bottom of this Combustion chamber consists of a grate comprising the grate bars 6, which may be supported' in any usual manner, for example upon the side walls of the ash pit, so as to rock about their points of support. As shown, alternate bars 4 are connected by means of links 7 to a shakerlever 8 at thev front of the heater,-the other alternate set of bars being connected at the other sideof the ash pit by similar links, not shown, which in turn are connected to a second shaker lever.

each grate bar comprises an elongate web or supporting member 9 having enlargements 10 (Fig. 2) at its opposite ends, such enlargements being furnished with notches 11. (F 3) adapted to receive ysupporting lugs or pins upon which the bar is adapted to rock. Each bar is also preferably furnished with an integral arm 12 (Fig. 2) extending downwardly from the web 9, such arm: having a sleeve 13 at its lower end for the reception of a pin 14 connecting it to one of the actuating links 7, all in usual manner.

Each web 9 carries a series of spaced segments S (Fig. 2), preferably integral with the web 9, the series extending substantially from one end to the other of the member 9.

Each of these segments preferably comprises a body portion 15 (Figs. 4 and 5), which, in the preferred construction, tapers in thickness from its outer or curved edge inwardly,

and whose curved outer edge is preferably a rim 16. As

herel shown, this curved rim is of substantially 180 extent, although the extent of this rim circumferentially may be varied in accordance with circumstances.

rlhe curved rim of each segment is preferably notched, as indicated at 17 (Fig. 3), to provide a series of teeth 18. Preferably thesel teeth are of `unsymmetrical ishape in vertical section, the upper faces of the teeth, particularly at the upper part of the segment, being nearly horizontal, while theirV outer faces are nearly vertical so as to furnish means well' adapted for feeding the ashes down'wardlyas the grate bar is rocked.

Preferably the lowermost tooth 18,'r1 at each side of each segment is extended continuously from onesegment to the next yso as to form a continuous cutting edge at that part of the bar whichcomes most nearly in contact with the next adjacent bar, this being a point at which ash cutting action is highly desirable.

This Vcontinuous tooth also strengthens thel grate bar and prevents chipping of the lower ends of the segments. n 5 As above noted, the end portions of the bars are more subject to breakage and chip- In accordance with the present invention,-

ping than their middle parts, as at their ends are continuously united as shown at 181. I

find in practice that if three ofthe segments are thus united by several continuousl teeth 18h, sufiicient undue breakage or chipping. In fact, if even two endmost segments are thus united, the added strength is suiiicient for many purposes, although as a matter of general practice and to insure sufficient strength for all purposes, I prefer thus to unite the three endmost segments, lbut this reinforcing is confined to the end .groupsofy segments to avoid interference with the free air and ash through the grate.

While the endmost segments are thus united by two continuous teeth 181 above and in addition to the lowest teeth 18a, I contemplate thatmore than two such additional teeth may be thus made continuous across the segments making up suchend groups, although it is preferable, and in fact substantially necessary, least of these endmost segments with spaces between their rims in of the grate at its ends. The added strength thus provided at the points where it is most needed is obtained in a very simple way and without adding unduly tothe weight' of the grate bar and without substantially interfering with the free dropping of the ashes between the segments. At the same time the cutting of the ash and its positive downward feed is provided for in a very eiiicient and practical manner.

While I have illustrated onedesirable embodiment of the invention by way of example, yI wish it vto be understood-that the invention may be embodied in specifically different constructions and that the invention is intended to include all equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims.

I cla-im:

1. A grate bar of the class described having an elongate member provided adjacent to its ends with means engageable withsupports on which the bar may rock, said elongate member carrying a series of .spaced parallel segments whose curved edges-.collectively constitute the fuel supporting surface of the bar, the curved notched to define a series of ash feeding teeth, a plurality of the lowermost teeth of a groupfof segments at each end of the 'bar extending continuously across from one segment tothe next of such group,`whereby'to said end segments andV strength is imparted to prevent order to avoid clogging to leave the upper parts at ioo Y I iso passage vof 35 the body of the segment to form a stiff and strong ri1n,vsaid rim being provided with a series of ash feeding teeth, the three lowermost teeth of the three endmost segments at each end of the bar extending continuously across from one segment to the next,whereby to brace and strengthen' said end segments and to provide adequate ash feedingmeans at the ends of the bar.

3. A grate bar of the class described comprising an elongate member provided adjacent` to its ends with means engageable with fixed supports on which the bar mayrock, Y,

v of the bar.

said elongate member carrying a series of spaced parallel segments whose curved edges collectively constitute the fuel supporting surface of the bar, the curved edge of each segmentbeing provided with a series of as feeding teeth, the lowest tooth of each segment'at each side of ,such segment being 1ntegrallyunited with the corresponding tooth of the next adjacent segment so as to extend longitudinallyv from one segment to the next throughout the length of the bar, thereby to provide a stiff and strong ash cutting edge, and a plurality of additional teeth, abovesuch lowermost teeth on at least two of the endmost segments at each end of the bar, extending continuously from one vsuch segment to the next, whereby to Vbrace and endmost segments and to prostrengthen such vide adequate ash feeding means at the ends Signed by me at Westfield, Massachusetts, this 28 day of June, 1932.y

GLENN B. oowLns. e 

